Meet a smoking new rock band

[AsahinaKimi]

By SHAWN DESPRES
Special to The Japan Times

Formed in Fukuoka in 2005, The Cigavettes knew it would only be a matter of time before they relocated to Japan's capital. After years of discussing it, the melodic rockers finally packed up their instruments, along with their Beatles- and Rolling Stones-inspired catalogue of catchy, radio-friendly pop-rock, and made the move in February 2010.

"We had to come to Tokyo because our record company threatened us," says guitarist Kanji Yamamoto. He is joking, of course, since The Cigavettes issue music through their own KT Records label.

"Actually, it was kind of a natural decision for us. We knew that Tokyo is the center of Japanese music and that it has the most venues in the country. Our families, friends and Fukuoka fans all supported our decision."

Chums since grade school, the quintet, which also includes Kanji's brother Masayuki on vocals, drummer Ryota Todaka, bassist Mitsunori Shinozaki and guitarist Junnosuke Oda, were prepared to settle in Tokyo much sooner. Kanji was the one holding them back, though.

"I was living with my girlfriend in Fukuoka and didn't want to separate from her," he says. "(But) during one of our Japan tours I met an even better girl at a show in Tokyo, so moving became a very easy choice. I'm now dating the girl from the Tokyo concert."

While seemingly enjoying the musical and romantic opportunities presented by their new home base, there are things that the members miss about life in Fukuoka.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fm20110415a1.html

CHECK OUT THEIR MUSIC!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp4TXCWuFl0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmEBpaqaq1M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUQ8i3CpWWg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeiXVuuZXvM

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheCigavettes

[Capn Sunshine]

1. nice clean version of "Get Off My Cloud"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW_143mRyPI&feature=related

I think they're pretty young, but pretty neat. :hi:

[Forkboy]

2. For being borderline pop, that was pretty good.

I hear more Beatles than the Stones, mostly because of the song structures. This is closer to the basic pop structure than much of what the Stones did. It's always hard for me to judge bands like this because my own musical tastes lean to the extreme (still remember hearing my first Boredoms album), so when I hear something poppy it takes awhile for my ears to adjust, but that was fun stuff. I liked all those songs. Thanks for the heads up. :)

[Heidi]

3. Nice!

Thank you for this! :thumbsup:

[bluesbassman]

4. Sound good. Long live Rock!

It will too, as long as new bands like this keep it alive. Thanks for posting their tunes! :thumbsup: